Independent Reading Assignment
Annotations 2008-09
6th Language Arts
1. Assignment Summary
Over the next year you will be required to read 3 books (one book each nine weeks). You will be allowed to select the book you wish to read from a variety of genres. The teacher must approve all books. It is expected that you will select quality literature.
After reading a book you will write and annotation or brief account of the book. ANNOTATIONS MUST BE WRITTEN IN PARAGRAPH FORM. In addition to an examination of the book, you must include your reaction to the book and a rating based on a scale you design. LOOK AT THE RUBRIC TO SEE WHAT IS REQUIRED BEFORE STARTING THE ANNOTATION.
You must follow the layout and format for your annotation as indicated below. Your annotations will be kept together in a folder for the entire year. Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation are required.
2. Layout of Annotations Folder
A. Materials/Style: You will need a duo-tang folder, labeled with your name and class period. Annotations may be written neatly in blue or black ink or prepared on a computer.
B. They should not exceed two typed single spaced or four one-sided handwritten pages.
C. Page 1 - Title Page - This must include your name, class and period. Design this page to include all due dates and a space for the teacher to record your grade and a comment for each set of annotations.
D. Page 2 - This page
E. Page 3 - Reading Plan: In pencil list the book you intend to read the second nine weeks, the author and the genre. These books must be approved before beginning your outside reading. You may only change titles with approval.
F. Page 4 - Rating Scale: You will design your own rating scale. It will be used throughout the year to evaluate your books. Be Creative.
G. Pages 5 - Final copies of your annotations
3. Format of Annotations
Each annotation must include the following information:
Title of the book
Author
Publisher
Publication date
Number of pages
Genre
Dates you began and finished the book
The annotation will communicate the following information:
The Characters
Give a detailed description of the main characters. Who are they? How do they act? Why do they behave the way they do?
The Setting
Describe the setting. How does the setting of the book add to the story? What effect does the setting have on the characters, the plot?
Conflict
What is the main conflict of the novel? What kinds of problems does it create?
Plot (Don’t tell me the entire story and everything that ever happened in the book – analyze it!)
Rising Action – Explain the events that lead up to the climax (turning point of the book).
Climax – What do you feel if the turning point of the novel. Defend your position.
Falling Action – Explain the events that lead to the novel’s conclusion.
Resolution or Conclusion – How does the novel end. Note any differences in the characters. What has changed? What impact has this journey had on them?
Theme/Message:
What is the message or moral of the story? What was the author trying to tell us?
Reaction
Why would you (or why would you not) recommend this book to a friend? Why did (or didn’t) the book meet your expectations?
Extra Credit
Give examples of how the author used figurative language, imagery, metaphors, similes, personification and irony in the story.
4. Grading
Each annotation is worth 40 points
5. Due Dates
Second nine weeks December 8th
Third nine weeks March 2nd
Fourth nine weeks May 18th
ANNOTATION RUBRIC
Annotation Rubric
40 Total Points
How I will grade the annotation.
Format (3 points)
• Title of book
• Author
• Publisher
• Publication Date
• Number of pages
• Genre
• Date began and finished
3 points all are identified
2 points one is missing
1 point two are missing
Characters (5 points)
• 5 points - A detailed description of the main characters is provided which includes their physical, emotional, and behavioral traits. You have told me what they look like, who they are and why they act and behave as they do.
• 4 points – All elements are there but more detail is needed.
• 3 points – one element is missing
• 2 points- two or more elements are missing
• 1 point you have just listed the characters
Setting (5 points)
• 5 points -You have described the setting in detail and told me when it took place. If the book does not give you the place or the time you have explained why you think the author did not feel the need to give you that information. You have explained the effect the setting has on the characters and the plot.
• 4 points – All elements are there but more detail is needed.
• 3 points – one element is missing
• 2 points – one element is missing and the description is lacking details
• 1 point - you have just listed the time and place
Conflict (5 points)
• 5 points - You have identified the main conflict of the novel and explained; why it was the main conflict, what kinds of problems it created for the characters, and how it impacted the plot.
• 4 points – All elements are there but more detail is needed.
• 3 points – one element is missing
• 2 points- two or more elements are missing
• 1 point - you have just identified the conflict
Plot (12 points)
Rising Action -The events leading up to the climax have been explained.
Climax - The climax of the novel has been identified and you have defended your position.
Falling Action - The events that led to the novel’s conclusion have been explained.
Resolution or Conclusion – You have told me how the story ended and noted any differences in the characters.
Each element is worth three points.
3 points – a detailed explanation of each element was provided
2 points – not enough details
1 point – parts of the plot are just identified
Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution/Conclusion
• 3 points • 3 points • 3 points • 3 points
• 2 points • 2 points • 2 points • 2 points
• 1 point • 1 point • 1 point • 1 point
Theme/Message(5)
• 5 points The theme is clearly identified. Its universal meaning and relation to the story is explained.
• 4 points The theme, its meaning and relation to the story are clearly identified but need more details
• 3 points The theme, its meaning and relation to the story are clearly identified but either the universal meaning or the theme’s relation to the story is not explained
• 2 points All are identified, but both the universal meaning and its relation to the story are not explained
• 1 point The theme is identified
Reaction (5)
• 5 points – An explanation (with details); why you did or didn’t like the book, and why you would or would not recommend it to a friend has been provided. You have a rating scale
• 4 points – All elements are provided with adequate supporting details
• 3 points – All elements are provided with adequate supporting details but the rating scale is missing.
• 2 points – All elements are provided with few supporting details
• 1 point – No details are provided. The students has merely said if they liked or didn’t like the book and provided a rating scale.
Table of Contents
INDEPENDENT READING ASSIGNMENT
Independent Reading Assignment
Annotations 2008-09
6th Language Arts
1. Assignment Summary
Over the next year you will be required to read 3 books (one book each nine weeks). You will be allowed to select the book you wish to read from a variety of genres. The teacher must approve all books. It is expected that you will select quality literature.
After reading a book you will write and annotation or brief account of the book. ANNOTATIONS MUST BE WRITTEN IN PARAGRAPH FORM. In addition to an examination of the book, you must include your reaction to the book and a rating based on a scale you design. LOOK AT THE RUBRIC TO SEE WHAT IS REQUIRED BEFORE STARTING THE ANNOTATION.
You must follow the layout and format for your annotation as indicated below. Your annotations will be kept together in a folder for the entire year. Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation are required.
2. Layout of Annotations Folder
A. Materials/Style: You will need a duo-tang folder, labeled with your name and class period. Annotations may be written neatly in blue or black ink or prepared on a computer.
B. They should not exceed two typed single spaced or four one-sided handwritten pages.
C. Page 1 - Title Page - This must include your name, class and period. Design this page to include all due dates and a space for the teacher to record your grade and a comment for each set of annotations.
D. Page 2 - This page
E. Page 3 - Reading Plan: In pencil list the book you intend to read the second nine weeks, the author and the genre. These books must be approved before beginning your outside reading. You may only change titles with approval.
F. Page 4 - Rating Scale: You will design your own rating scale. It will be used throughout the year to evaluate your books. Be Creative.
G. Pages 5 - Final copies of your annotations
3. Format of Annotations
Each annotation must include the following information:
Title of the book
Author
Publisher
Publication date
Number of pages
Genre
Dates you began and finished the book
The annotation will communicate the following information:
The Characters
Give a detailed description of the main characters. Who are they? How do they act? Why do they behave the way they do?
The Setting
Describe the setting. How does the setting of the book add to the story? What effect does the setting have on the characters, the plot?
Conflict
What is the main conflict of the novel? What kinds of problems does it create?
Plot (Don’t tell me the entire story and everything that ever happened in the book – analyze it!)
Rising Action – Explain the events that lead up to the climax (turning point of the book).
Climax – What do you feel if the turning point of the novel. Defend your position.
Falling Action – Explain the events that lead to the novel’s conclusion.
Resolution or Conclusion – How does the novel end. Note any differences in the characters. What has changed? What impact has this journey had on them?
Theme/Message:
What is the message or moral of the story? What was the author trying to tell us?
Reaction
Why would you (or why would you not) recommend this book to a friend? Why did (or didn’t) the book meet your expectations?
Extra Credit
Give examples of how the author used figurative language, imagery, metaphors, similes, personification and irony in the story.
4. Grading
Each annotation is worth 40 points
5. Due Dates
Second nine weeks December 8th
Third nine weeks March 2nd
Fourth nine weeks May 18th
ANNOTATION RUBRIC
Annotation Rubric
40 Total Points
How I will grade the annotation.
Format (3 points)
• Title of book
• Author
• Publisher
• Publication Date
• Number of pages
• Genre
• Date began and finished
3 points all are identified
2 points one is missing
1 point two are missing
Characters (5 points)
• 5 points - A detailed description of the main characters is provided which includes their physical, emotional, and behavioral traits. You have told me what they look like, who they are and why they act and behave as they do.
• 4 points – All elements are there but more detail is needed.
• 3 points – one element is missing
• 2 points- two or more elements are missing
• 1 point you have just listed the characters
Setting (5 points)
• 5 points -You have described the setting in detail and told me when it took place. If the book does not give you the place or the time you have explained why you think the author did not feel the need to give you that information. You have explained the effect the setting has on the characters and the plot.
• 4 points – All elements are there but more detail is needed.
• 3 points – one element is missing
• 2 points – one element is missing and the description is lacking details
• 1 point - you have just listed the time and place
Conflict (5 points)
• 5 points - You have identified the main conflict of the novel and explained; why it was the main conflict, what kinds of problems it created for the characters, and how it impacted the plot.
• 4 points – All elements are there but more detail is needed.
• 3 points – one element is missing
• 2 points- two or more elements are missing
• 1 point - you have just identified the conflict
Plot (12 points)
Rising Action -The events leading up to the climax have been explained.
Climax - The climax of the novel has been identified and you have defended your position.
Falling Action - The events that led to the novel’s conclusion have been explained.
Resolution or Conclusion – You have told me how the story ended and noted any differences in the characters.
Each element is worth three points.
3 points – a detailed explanation of each element was provided
2 points – not enough details
1 point – parts of the plot are just identified
Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution/Conclusion
• 3 points • 3 points • 3 points • 3 points
• 2 points • 2 points • 2 points • 2 points
• 1 point • 1 point • 1 point • 1 point
Theme/Message(5)
• 5 points The theme is clearly identified. Its universal meaning and relation to the story is explained.
• 4 points The theme, its meaning and relation to the story are clearly identified but need more details
• 3 points The theme, its meaning and relation to the story are clearly identified but either the universal meaning or the theme’s relation to the story is not explained
• 2 points All are identified, but both the universal meaning and its relation to the story are not explained
• 1 point The theme is identified
Reaction (5)
• 5 points – An explanation (with details); why you did or didn’t like the book, and why you would or would not recommend it to a friend has been provided. You have a rating scale
• 4 points – All elements are provided with adequate supporting details
• 3 points – All elements are provided with adequate supporting details but the rating scale is missing.
• 2 points – All elements are provided with few supporting details
• 1 point – No details are provided. The students has merely said if they liked or didn’t like the book and provided a rating scale.